Cleveland woman‘s car theft foiled as owner fights back with forklift

A Cleveland woman whose arrest was caught on film after she was hoisted into the air by a forklift as she tried to steal a car, has fronted court for the ‘“bizarre” series of events.

Lillian Jarvis outside Beenleigh Magistrates Court

A Cleveland woman who was hoisted two metres into the air by a forklift when she was caught trying to hot-wire a car has fronted court after the wild incident which was caught on film.

Lillian Dawn Jarvis, 24, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on November 17 to two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and enter dwelling.

The court heard that on June 5, 2022, a man left his home in Waterford West to go shopping and Jarvis entered the house while he was out.

She had a shower in the man’s home and put on clothes from his wardrobe.

She then went out the front of the house and entered the man’s red Volkswagen, pulled out the ignition wires and attempted to hot-wire the car.

At this point the owner arrived home and saw Jarvis inside his car.

He entered his forklift and lifted up the Volkswagen two metres in the air with Jarvis inside.

Magistrate Terry Duroux described Jarvis’ actions as “one of the most bizarre incidents of unlawful use of a motor vehicle I’ve seen”.

The court heard police then arrived and told the homeowner to lower the vehicle before arresting Jarvis.

The whole event was captured on film, depicting police approaching the woman as she sat in the car which was still still on the forklift.

Jarvis was also found guilty of unlawful use of a motor vehicle for an incident involving a blue Hyundai Veloster between February and March, 2022.

The court heard the victim lost her keys and when the car was later located, Jarvis’ saliva was found on a lemonade can inside.

It was not suggested she was the driver at the time.

The defence said Jarvis had a serious criminal history and she was battling with an addiction to methamphetamine.

Mr Duroux said she had shown a lot of progress with her treatment and recovery.

“Your behaviour is exacerbated by drug use and some of the offending can best be described as bizarre,” he said.

“You have done a lot of good work though, which shows progress.”

Jarvis received a 12 month prison sentence with an immediate parole release date and convictions were recorded.